Showing Up as an Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community

How do you show up as an ally for the LGBTQ+ community?

“I show up. I wear my colours and display my preferred pronouns and make it clear I am an ally. Where possible, I voice my opinion and try and bring in policies that make a difference to the LGBTQ+ community. For example, I was an advocate for making our local policy on anti-sexual harassment gender neutral and inclusive of LGBTQIA+ and encouraging gender-neutral restrooms. I also recently participated as a guest panellist at myGwork's WorkPride event, speaking about Parexel's Pride and Diversity Equity and Inclusion committees.”

Roopa Basrur, Vice President, Medical Writing-Safety

“Being kind and open at every encounter, you never know the whole story, accept your knowledge gaps and biases, listen and learn. When I started being an active member of the ERG of Parexel Germany, I started a path of learning and speaking up. Because in the end actions speak louder than words. I’ve gone to senior leadership with ideas that came up in DEI discussions. While every idea doesn’t always come to fruition, I will keep speaking up. And sometimes it does move something. We just had our first Europe-wide DEI information and listening session. So far we only have ERGs in some European countries and the DEI Germany committee’s vision was to have a resource for everyone and that happened and it was amazing seeing ~500 employees showing up.”

Jana Luitjens, member of the Parexel DEI Germany Committee and Senior Recruitment Marketing Specialist

In a recent discussion with Parexel’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Global Leads Committee, the importance of Allyship and what it means to the LGBTQ+ community to be an ally were discussed. Here are some of the key things we believe allies can do:

• Give consistent support and lead by example.
• Understand and reflect on your own identity, biases and privileges.
• Research and understand the challenges of the groups, recognizing when others are in need.
• Listen; Speak up; Show Up and educate yourself!
• Be mindful of the power of language. Language really does matter. Try not to assume someone’s gender; use gender-neutral language; use inclusive language when addressing colleagues. In German, for example, the generic masculinum is used a lot, which mainly brings up the masculine image for example occupations.
• Be mindful of using the words “sexual orientation” although it does include heterosexuality, most people will only think of gay, lesbian and bisexual.
• Learn from mistakes. Know that you will mess up sometimes – breathe, apologise, and ask for guidance.
• Lift others up by advocating!
• Share growth opportunities with others.
• Learn to confront your own prejudices and unconscious bias.
• Use your pronouns! Using personal pronouns at work creates a respectful and inclusive environment for all.
• Show your colours if you can.
• Think of “ally” as an action rather than a label.